If solar electricity or solar water heating isn't your cards right now, there are plenty of other ways to take advantage of the sun’s energy—for little or no money.

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One of the simplest is hanging your wet duds on a clothesline. It only takes just a couple more minutes of your time than throwing them in the dryer. Plus it's a good excuse to get outside on a sunny day. Find more energy-saving laundry tips in our "Washers and Dryers" article.

As long as you're taking the time to smell the sun-warmed sheets, why not get dinner started too? With a solar oven you can cook a casserole, make a pot of rice and even bake some cookies-using only the power of the sun. You can make your own solar oven from low-cost materials or buy one already made. Find out more in our "Ovens and Cooktops" article.

If you're wondering what to cook in that solar oven, how about some homegrown spuds from your own organic garden? Plants do a miraculous job of transforming the sun’s energy into nutritious, delicious food, and growing your own helps you slim down your carbon footprint. Check our "Healthy Eating" article for more fodder for your green kitchen.